Japanese Wooden Kago Carrying Basket with Gourd Motif, Hyōtan, 1950s

This wooden basket is lacquered deep black on the inside and outside. Along the edges and in the cut-out shapes you see accents in warm chestnut-red urushi lacquer.

Dimensions: height 37 cm, width 32.5 cm, depth 23 cm.

On the sides, several stylised gourds (hyōtan) are cut out. At the top runs a straight, high carrying handle that gives the basket a light silhouette while remaining practical to hold.

The gourd is a classic good-luck symbol in Japan, standing for abundance and protection. This type of basket was originally used to carry food, drink or small goods – by merchants or for domestic occasions.

Today it is a very decorative and surprisingly versatile piece. Beautiful as a fruit basket on the table, filled with tea ceremony accessories, or with small plants and bonsai. Even left empty on a sideboard or kitchen shelf, it adds an instant touch of charm and a Japanese accent to your interior.